Why NFL’s running back renaissance has 49ers at perfect spot for 2025

After several seasons of the NFL devaluing the running back position, the 2024 season showed that ball carriers are enjoying a renaissance, which puts the 49ers in the perfect position. Of the 14 teams that made the postseason this year, six boasted a running back ranked in the top 10 in the league for total rushing yards and an additional three ball carriers finished the regular season in the top 16.1. Saquon Barkley 2,005 yards (PHI)2. Derrick Henry 1,921 yards (BAL)3. Bijan Robinson 1,456 yards (ATL)4. Jonathan Taylor 1,431 yards (IND)5. Jahmyr Gibbs 1,412 yards (DET)6. Josh Jacobs 1,329 yards (GB)7. Kyren Williams 1,299 yards (LAR)8. Chuba Hubbard 1,195 yards (CAR)9. Aaron Jones 1,138 yards (MIN)10. Bucky Irving 1,122 yards (TB)11. James Conner 1,094 yards (AZ)12. Tony Pollard 1,079 yards (TEN)13. Rico Dowdle 1,079 yards (DAL)14. Najee Harris 1,043 yards (PIT)15. Joe Mixon 1,016 yards (HOU)16. James Cook 1,009 yards (BUF)Six playoff teams had players who ranked in the top 10 in number of rushing attempts and seven postseason rosters contained running backs in the top 10 in average yards-per-game. With Christian McCaffrey set to enter the 2025 season fully healed from the knee...